Why Tsho Rolpa Trek in 2024?

Tsho Rolpa Trek in 2024 can be your ultimate off-the-beaten trek in Nepal if you want to hike the almost virgin trekking destination in Nepal. Sitting over 4,580 meters, Tsho Rolpa Lake is Nepal’s most significant and high-altitude seated glacier lake.

With no more than 500 trekkers in a calendar year, in 2023, it’s among the least hiked trekking routes in Nepal. Even during the best Autumn and Spring trekking months, you’ll get the fantastic opportunity to walk peacefully with less crowd.

Here in Tsho Rolpa Trek Blog, we’ll highlight some noteworthy points which make it a must-do off the beaten trekking in Nepal.

Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek in 2024: For peaceful trek

If there’s one thing you can cherish in Cho Rolpa Lake Trek besides the spellbinding landscapes and mountains, it’s undoubtedly the crowd-free trekking route. With almost no crowd on the trail, it’s just you enjoying the serenity and hiking peacefully.

One thing is true; trekking is an escapade from the hustle and bustle of the hectic daily lifestyle. Trekking is a way to immerse yourself in the serenity of nature and breathe fresh air every second. It’s a period where you’ll be with yourself and reflect on your life.

With very few independent trekkers hiking to Tsho Rolpa Lake and Dudh Kunda Lake, a small lake near Cho Rolpa, this trail offers a fantastic window of peacefulness. The chirps of birds, cascading Rolwaling River, rustling leaves, and vibrant rhododendron forest till Thanding Kharka accompanies your day hike. And past Bedding village, the alpine landscapes with towering mountains all around welcome you to the heart of Rolwaling Valley, Na Village, and Tsho Rolpa Lake.

Tsho Rolpa Trek in 2024: The best off-beat trek in 2024

Rolwaling Valley has mountain peaks like Yalung Ri, which many trekkers attempt to climb. For dare venture, it was a route to cross Tashi Lapcha Pass and trek to the Everest region. For regular trekkers, there were established routes to trek.

However, in 2023, the scene has changed. Tsho Rolpa Trek is now becoming popular. With established routes being extensively trekked, trekkers are looking for virgin places. They want to experience the unexploited landscape, untouched by extensive tourism. And Tsho Rolpa Lake ticks off every box for those passionate hikers. The ultimate off-beat experience of this trek is why more and more people are trekking to the lake.

Even with increased trekkers, Cho Rolpa is still far away from extensive trekking. For that, it still is off-beat trekking. For those who need more time for Manaslu Circuit Trek, Makalu Base Camp Trek, and Nar Phu Valley Trek, Tsho Rolpa can be an ideal off-beat trek.

It’s doable in a week, with a minimal budget, ample tea houses, and quality service. It’s not an apple pie trek, but it is rewarding in many ways, with mountains and glacier lakes being prominent.

Tsho Rolpa Trek in 2024: Best Budget Friendly

Trekking in Nepal is expensive if you plan popular treks like Everest Region Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek. But, if you’re looking for a budget trek that offers fantastic sightseeing, landscapes, mountains, rivers, vegetation, and a glacier lake at 4,580 meters, Cho Rolpa Lake Trek in 2023 can be your deal.

If you’re planning Tsho Rolpa Trek Cost, ensure you carry at most USD 150. And this cost keeps you sufficient for a five day trek.

The tea houses en route to Tsho Rolpa still need to be modernized. Don’t expect modern amenities at the tea houses here. You won’t have more expensive meal choices here; Nepali Dal Bhat is the most common.

Due to the lack of modern amenities at tea houses, the local agencies in Nepal don’t sell this trek. However, those who love solitude and are backpackers rather than sophisticated meals find this trek best.

Average one day cost

As there are no meal options like Pizza, Burger, Spaghetti, Toast, Bread & Jam, Porridge, and Chocolate pie, you’ll end up eating fried rice or Nepali Dal Bhat. And Dal Bhat will cost USD 4-5. And for breakfast, you’ll have options of noodle soup, vegetable soup, and Chapati. The hot drinks include tea, milk, and coffee, which costs around USD 2-3. Hence, your per day expense averages around USD 20-30. Therefore, in five days, you’ll spend around USD 150 at most.

But, there may be a slight difference in the Tsho Rolpa Trek Cost for Nepali and foreign national trekkers. But even if you don’t optimize your expense, your trek cost will be at most USD 150.

Amazing Trek Route

Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek starts with a drive from Kathmandu to ChhetChhet, Dolakha. The first-day overnight place, Simi Gaun, is a two-hour hike from ChhetChhet. The trail to Simi Gaun is almost an hour’s hike on steep stairs barred with steel frames and plastered stairs.

From Simi Gaun to Dongang, the trekking route traverses almost through the dense forest, mini streams, stone paved stairs, and a serene atmosphere. The setting of Dongang on the shore of the Rolwaling river makes it an ideal spot to stop even if you reach Dongang early. It is worth a night stop.

The route from Dongang to Thanding Kharka is a fantastic trail where you’ll hike on the tracks just some meters above the Rolwaling river. Also, the cascading river, bamboo forest, and lush forest keep you amazed.

The semi-alpine terrain starts a few kilometers past Thanding Kharka. Like before, you’ll hike alongside the Rolwaling river, but now, with the mountains on the sightseeing.

Bedding village on the base of a hill and the corner of Rolwaling shore makes it appealing. Also, the traditional houses, a few monasteries, and locals passing smiles to you as you hike by keeps your hike entertaining.

From Bedding to Na, the trekking route becomes flat and fabulous. And from Na to Cho Rolpa Lake, the course is heavenly. Only the 30 minutes final section of the hike to Tsho Rolpa Lake is tiring and somehow steep. But after reaching the lake, you’ll rejoice in all the hardship you endured to get to the lake.

Mountain and Landscape

Gaurishankar Himal, a member mountain in Rolwaling Range, at 7,181 meters, is the focal attraction of Tsho Rolpa Trek. Another mountain in the Rolwaling Range is Melungtse II at 7,023 meters, and a fantastic mountain to look at is Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek.

Besides these two, there are many small snow-capped peaks around the lake. The incredible view of the Langtang range and some mountains in the Everest region are also visible from the route to this lake trek.

Other than the mountains, the landscape of the region around Tsho Rolpa is fantastic. Even the arid alpine landscape around will satisfy you.

Whether it’s the vibrant Autumn leaves or the blossomed rhododendron and Bayberry till Surmuche, you’ll have a fantastic time throughout the hike.

Tsho Rolpa Trek Itinerary- Overview

Our one-week-long Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Chhet Chhet via Sukute, Charikot, Dolakha, and Singati.

For the first day, the two-hour hike from Chhet Chhet takes us to Simi Gaun, where we’ll stay overnight. The short trek of two hours on the plastered stairs is tiring but has multiple places for drinking water and stops for rest.

The next day’s hike from Simi Gaun takes us to Dongang via Surmuche and Kyalje. We’ll resume the trek after breakfast at Simi Gaun with a targeted lunch at Surmuche. The trail to Surmuche is decent, but the gradual climb tires us. From Kyalje, the descent takes us to Dongang, a few tea houses on the shore of the Rolwaling River. Numerous waterfalls, serene lush pine forests, rhododendron forests, and truss bridges entertain the hike.

The third-day hike is one of the best hikes on the Cho Rolpa Trek route because the route takes us to a diverse climatic zone where landscape and vegetation vary quickly. The hike to Thandding is tiring, but past Thandding to Bedding is comfortable. The route for most sections passes through the Rolwaling River. After lunch at Bedding, the hike ascends to Na Village for the next 3 hours. The somehow flat trek route to Na is comfortable to hike on.

Tsho Rolpa Glacial Lake from Na is a three-hour walk by foot. Besides the final 20-minute slope climb, the route is comfortable. After spending quality time at the lake, we’ll return to Na Village for lunch and Bedding for overnight accommodation.

We’ll follow the same route to descend to Thandding, Dongang, Kyalje, Surmuche, and Simi Gaun for two days.